Put the Gloves On

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

17 May 2006 05:00 PM

Interested in trying something different? A good home workout routine you might decide to engage in is boxing. While boxing may not be a first choice as a form of exercise for a fitness program - it can be a lot of fun. Yes, pugilism is about fighting, but boxing isn't necessarily about hammering on another person until they cannot stand up. It doesn't mean blacking an eye or hurting anyone else. Instead, it's about building up a fitness regimen that is different and if it holds your interest can improve your personal fitness levels. What Do You Need? So what equipment do you need to start your home boxing fitness program?

• Vinyl or beaded jump rope
• Weighted Gloves (8 ounces or so in weight)
• Timer for counting down
• Light dumbbells
• Open spot where you can do crunches or push-ups

What do you do?

This is a fifteen-minute workout that is designed to start with 30 second intervals. You should work against the timer just like a real boxer and it's designed to target the whole body, alternating upper and lower body every other day. Ignore your reps, how many you do is not the point. You're doing what you can in the time allotted.

• Shadowbox for 30 seconds
• Rest for 30 seconds
• Jump rope for 30 seconds
• Rest for 30 Seconds
• Pushups for 30 seconds
• Rest for 30 seconds
• Crunches for 30 seconds
• Rest for 30 seconds
• Bicep curls for 30 seconds
• Rest for 30 seconds
• Military presses for 30 seconds
• Rest for 30 seconds
• Wash, rinse, repeat.

For doing leg work instead of arms:

• Alternating lunges for 30 seconds
• Rest for 30 seconds
• Squats for 30 seconds
• Rest for 30 seconds

What about cardio?

This circuit will definitely get your heart pumping. But you should also add 30 minutes of brisk walking or jogging to your workout every other day to build up your heart and lung strength. The point of this boxing routine is to build up your endurance and your body strength. If you want to get a bag to box against - there is something deeply satisfying about pummeling a sandbag but you don't need one to maximize the fitness potential.

Give it a shot - it's harder than you might think.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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